Educators: 6 Periods Are Enough

Board To Try To Give Kids Option For More Classes

TAVARES — Whether it's six or seven high school class periods, educators said Tuesday neither schedule would hinder the primary purpose of public school systems: To educate students.

And if the district does switch from seven periods to six next fall, the School Board is looking at options that would give students the chance to voluntarily take additional classes.

The biggest disadvantage of a 50-minute, six-period schedule is that it keeps some below-average students from meeting state graduation requirements during regular school hours.

A Florida high school student must earn 24 credits to graduate. With a six-period schedule, a student can earn 24 credits as long as the student doesn't fail any courses. Each course is worth a credit. With the seven-period day, a student can earn 26 credits.

Students wanting to qualify for the Florida Scholar grants to attend a state university also may have problems with a six-period day. A student needs 26 credits to qualify.

But the Lake County school system is looking at options for students wanting more credits if the district switches to a six-period day next fall.

The options would include setting up a summer school program aimed at those students or offering basic and advanced-level courses before or after school in an optional seventh period.

The Seminole County school district, which has operated on a six-period school day several years, runs a summer program that is popular among its 12,000 high school students.

Another option for local officials would be beefing up its dual-enrollment program with Lake-Sumter Community College, where high school students can take additional classes.

Students who want to graduate as Florida Scholars could enroll in free college courses that count toward high school and college credit.

''With the financial times we are going into, a six-period day has merit,'' said Dale Delpit, assistant principal and curriculum director at Leesburg High School.